Arc’teryx is well-known for their top-quality gear. While they offer a full range of outerwear, they are still the one to beat for hard-core outdoor pursuits. With a variety of fabrics and cuts to choose from, Arc’teryx pants are durable and highly-functional for both frontside and backcountry pursuits.
The all-new Fury AR pants are built to offer a little bit of stretch, a tad more warmth, yet still be breathable on the hill. While the avalanche conditions in the backcountry have been sketchy, I’ve been able to use the Fury AR pants enough to get a good feel for how well they work.
About the Arc’teryx Fury AR pants
New to the line for Fall 2008, the Fury AR pants are designed to be slightly warmer and more breathable than a typical hardshell pant. With a slim yet highly-articulated fit, these Windstopper® pants excel at climbing and skiing in cold climates. They also feature a slight stretch in the fabric and are lined with moisture-wicking brushed knit backing.
Rounding out the Fury AR pants, Arc’teryx has included all the right features to make these pants at home in the backcountry.
Features of the Arc’teryx Fury AR Pants:
- Windstopper stretch fabric with brushed knit backing
- Highly-articulated fit for comfort
- Removable suspenders
- Keprotec instep cuff guards
- Powder cuffs
- Posterior thigh vents
- Colors: Black and Tarragon
- MSRP: $349.95
In the Alta Testing Lab… yup, they’ll do just fine.
Arc’teryx Fury AR Pants Review
With winter hitting Utah like a linebacker, the mountains are now filling in (as is my driveway), so testing is now complete with the Arc’teryx Fury AR pants. Like most of Arc’teryx pants, the Fury AR’s are trim-fitting. They aren’t so snug you feel like you’re wearing a pair of pants from the 80’s (or today’s unfortunate guys-wearing-girls jeans trend), but they are cut perfectly for backcountry pursuits with enough freedom of movement in design and fabric stretch.
The Fury AR pants are lined with a brushed knit backing. This lightweight backing keeps the pants quiet and comfortable as well as wicks away moisture. After wearing predominantly shell-only pants last season, it was nice to have just a touch of lining. The only downer of the backing is that it grabs your base layer as you slip them on. It reminds me of the flannel boards that were so popular as a kid. Once on, there’s no noticeable friction between the pants and base layers.
A welcome feature is the rear thigh vents, which have come in handy on backcountry tours. While the pants do stretch and breathe extremely well, it’s always nice to have a blowoff valve and just let the cool air come in unabated.
Front hand pockets are tight, but good enough for a stick of lip balm and a set of keys around town. The front cargo pockets are held closed by a small piece of Velcro and are only to be used for temporary storage. On the mountain, anything in those pockets became quickly annoying and was removed.
A pair of removable suspenders are included with the Fury AR’s, but I opted to remove them from the get-go. The pants stayed up well, but I did wish for a tad higher back panel to keep my lower back covered in falls or athletic maneuvers.
The lower leg cuffs aren’t super wide, but I was easily able to slip them over both my Garmont Endorphin and Head World Cup boots. Rubber grippies kept the cuffs in place and scuff guards kept the pant legs cut-free. The exterior has also held up well to repeated tree-carwash abuse in the backcountry.
Continued deep powder testing yields a stamp of approval!
The Good
- Great fit for backcountry travel
- Windstopper Fabric offers just a tad bit of stretch
- Leg vents are awesome
- Brushed lining wicks moisture and provides some warmth
- Lower leg cuff holds things in place
The Bad
- Brushed lining can grab base layers
- Front cargo pockets are nice, but not practical while skiing
- Rear waistline should come up an inch higher
The Bottom Line: Arc’teryx Fury AR Pants
Despite repeated abuse and backcountry adventures, the Arc’teryx Fury AR pants are still showing little signs of wear and tear. Comfortable enough to hang out in, yet trim-fitting enough to remain efficient in the backcountry, these pants are my “go-to” pants this season. I enjoy the slight stretch of the fabric and both the wicking ability and extra warmth offered by the lightweight brushed lining.
Buy Now: Search for Arc’teryx Pants at REI
3 Comments
So how warm are these? I overheat pretty easily and get sweaty. Obviously the vents will help… Did you find these too warm on the frequent sunny and warm Wasatch touring days??
By no means are these like puffy lined pants. The brushed lining is minimal and there primarily for moisture wicking, but they do provide a titch of extra warmth. Believe me… these aren’t like your typical liked pants. They are a really solid shell pant that vents well and offers outstanding comfort. I think you’d like ’em.
Pingback: 2009 Gear of the Year - FeedTheHabit.com